DSG News

DSG Joins Forces With W.A. Roosevelt In Wisconsin

W.A. Roosevelt, a pioneering distributor since 1868 of quality plumbing, electrical, HVAC and refrigeration products, has agreed to become part of the DSG family. W.A. Roosevelt has locations in La Crosse, Madison, New Berlin, Plover and Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

W.A. Roosevelt will retain its name and staff, and while it will become a division of DSG, virtually all other proceedings will be “business as usual” for customers and manufacturers alike. This new partnership will add Wisconsin and the northern Michigan to DSG's service area, which currently includes Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota, as well as portions of Iowa, Wyoming and Montana.

W.A. Roosevelt will add nearly 100 employees and more than 140 years of successful, respected distribution to the DSG brand. The two organizations are a natural fit, and so instead of radical changes, customers should expect only the improvements that result from such powerful synergy.

“Both companies share an intense commitment to the long-term success of our partners, whether they are customers or manufacturers,” says Tom Rosendahl, president of DSG. “This move creates a company that is greater than the sum of its parts.”

“When we first started talking about this potential partnership, it was obvious immediately that our core values and passionate focus on customers and employees were a great match,” says Todd Eber, president of W.A. Roosevelt. “While this wasn't something I was actively looking for, there's simply an incredible amount of synergy created by bringing our two companies together that will be great for our customers, manufacturing partners and employees.”

DSG is an ESOP, which means that it is employee owned. These employee owners operate the business as a team, focusing collectively on a culture that regards customer success as the ultimate goal. The result is a unique customer experience. Known as “The Power of We,” this philosophy is impossible to miss when dealing with DSG – you are always working with an owner.

DSG is one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing distributors of innovative electrical, plumbing, HVAC, communications, utility, metering technology, automation and waterworks products. Established in 1898, the employee-owned company will now have 16 DSG locations throughout Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota, as well as five W.A. Roosevelt locations in Wisconsin. With nearly 400 employees throughout its organization, DSG's headquarters is in Fargo, ND.

Beth Edmonds Joins DSG As Part Of The Communications Outside Sales Team

DSG is pleased to announce the addition of Beth Edmonds to the outside sales team for communications products. Edmonds joins DSG with more than nine years of experience in the industry. A Le Mars, Iowa, native, Edmonds joined the DSG team in July of 2011, and works with customers in the state of Iowa, as well as the western half of Nebraska.

“My job is to continue to expand DSG’s business into Iowa,” says Edmonds. “I’m excited to develop relationships with my customers, to learn from my fellow DSG employee owners, and to contribute my industry knowledge to the team.”

Jack Kinnunen Joins DSG, Will Serve On Utility Group’s Outside Sales Team

DSG is pleased to announce the addition of Jack Kinnunen to the outside sales team for utility products. A Grand Rapids, Minnesota, native, Kinnunen joins DSG with more than 18 years of experience in the utility industry. He will continue to make his home in Grand Rapids, while covering eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“I've had a working relationship with DSG for a while now,” says Kinnunen. “So I’m familiar with how important customer service and product innovation are to this company. I’m excited to be a part of that culture, and to bring those ideas to the utilities I serve.”

DSG Promotes Malcolm Macdonald To Waterworks Group Manager

Malcolm Macdonald has accepted the position of manager for DSG’s Waterworks Group. In his new position, Macdonald will oversee DSG’s entire waterworks operation, including the sales staff, DSG’s purchasing team and vendors who serve DSG waterworks customers. He replaces Kevin Paulson, who will continue serving his Waterworks customers as an Account Manager.

Macdonald started at DSG as an Account Manager in 2003, and was named Branch Manager for the Sioux Falls Waterworks facility in November of 2007. Prior to joining DSG, Macdonald worked with the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, as well as the city of Deadwood, South Dakota. His industry experience spans more than 20 years.

“DSG has been a great fit for me over the years,,” says Macdonald. “As a group manager, I look forward to bringing innovative ideas and solutions to DSG’s customers.”

DSG Names John Gearman As New Sioux Falls Branch Manager

John Gearman has accepted the position of manager at DSG’s combined electrical / mechanical branch in Sioux Falls. Gearman will oversee and be directly responsible for the day-to-day activities of the electrical and mechanical teams in Sioux Falls.

Originally from Marietta, Minnesota, Gearman began working with DSG in 1985 when he took a position in the panel shop in the Sioux Falls branch, eventually working his way up to manager for the Automation Group. Gearman will continue to serve as Automation Group Manager for DSG. In this position, Gearman works closely with the sales and service of automation products throughout DSG's service area.

“We are excited that John has accepted the position of branch manager for the Sioux Falls electrical / mechanical team,” says Tom Rosendahl, president of DSG. “His work with our Automation Group has proven time and time again how important he is to DSG. He’s a leader, and that's just what this job needs.”

Charlie Leavitt Joins DSG To Head Up New Business Development

Charlie Leavitt has joined DSG and will take on a new business development role for the distributor. Specifically, Leavitt will serve as a business consultant for DSG and will work closely with electrical contractors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and commercial businesses in DSG's service area. He will work out of DSG's St. Paul, Minnesota, location.

Before joining DSG, Leavitt, a third-generation industry professional, served as president of an electrical distributor from 1980-1988, then was a partner in an independent lighting manufacturer's representative firm in Minnesota from 1988-2008. In addition, Leavitt has been an instructor for the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America for more than 25 years and also teaches at the University of Minnesota.

"We're very thrilled to bring Charlie on board," says Tom Rosendahl, president of DSG. "His extensive experience, network of business contacts and passion for our industry are sure to bring energy and big ideas to customers."

DSG & McGannon Plumbing Modernize Meters In Groton, South Dakota

This story was originally printed in the Groton Independent in June 2010. DSG is supplying the water meters for this project.

Water Meters Being Installed

Expect a phone call or a visit from McGannon Plumbing and the City of Groton as the water meters are being changed out. It is part of the stimulus program. Ryan Koehler (center) and Austin Blocker (right) have been hired by David McGannon (left) of McGannon Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to change out the household meters this summer.

Koehler is holding the new meter with the transponder. A collector will be installed on the water tower this month which will communicate with the transponders in gathering meter readings. The system will also detect potential leakage allowing city hall to notify homeowners of possible leaky toilets, etc.

Changing out the meter takes about 20 minutes, if all goes well.

The remote on the outside of the house will not be removed. The homeowner can do that any time in the future and the homeowner can dispose of them.

Paul Kosel, Groton Independent

DSG In Mitchell, South Dakota Receives Community
Improvement Award

The Mitchell Chamber City Beautification Committee recently honored the Mitchell branch with a
2009 Community Improvement Award. The award was given to DSG for making a difference in the community by beautifying their building.

DSG Names Doug Moe As Minot Operations Supervisor

DSG and Wayne Trosen, Western Regional Manager for DSG, are pleased to announce that Doug Moe has been named Operations Supervisor for the Minot, ND branch.

Moe joined DSG in 1978 and has spent the last three years working in Inside Sales.

"Doug is a perfect fit for Operations Supervisor," says Trosen. "He's a long-time employee with a big-picture mentality, he knows our operations inside and out, and he has a great work ethic."